Foldable chicken coop



April 15, 1941- c. A. BREWSTER 2,238,676

FOLDABLE CHI CKEN C001,a

3 r VO dfn/Lo@ CHA/H E 5 LBREWSTEH.

April 15, 1941- c. A. BREwsTr-:R 2,238,676

FOLDABLE CHI CKEN COOP Filed Aug. 50 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 15, `1941 trice FOLDABLE CHICKEN CCCP Charles A. Brewster, Arkansas City, Kans., assignor of one-half to Clifford D. Grant, Arkansas City, Kans.

Application August 3i), 1939, Serial No. 292,707

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a foldable chicken coopi An object of the invention is the construction of a simple and emcient coop or crate in which poultry can be confined, or shipped or transferred With safety and with considerable ease.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and enicient partition in the coop or container, whereby the coop can be separated into different compartments.

A still further object of the invention is the novel construction of end sections, and the supporting means therefor, whereby the end sections are securely retained in place, but are permitted to be lifted or raised during the cleaning of the coop.

Another object of the invention is the improvement of the general structure of the coop, in-

cluding the partition, the end sections, and the g peculiar manner of holding all of the units of the coop in an open or condition for shipping poultry.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a coop or container kconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view, partly shown insection.

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 1 -fi, Fig. l, and looking in the direction of the arrows.V

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragment-ary perspective View of the coop.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line -L Fig. `2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken` on line -l, Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of the coop in a closed or folded condition, while Figure 9 is an end view of the same.

VFigure l0 is a sectional View taken on line Ill-ID, Fig. 8.

Figure 1l is a sectional view taken on line II-I I, Fig. 9, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure i2 is a sectional view taken on line arrows.

Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line I3--I\3, Fig. 4.

In the drawings, in which I have shown the preferred embodiment `of my invention, I designates the bottom of the coop or container, to which are xedly secured two side pieces `2. Each side piece 2 is cut away at 3 (Figs. l and 7) to facilitate cleaning of the coop.

A side section 4 is hingedly mounted at 5-5, upon each side piece 2, and a top section 5 is hingedly mounted at 6 upon the upper edge of the side section il. Therefore, it is to be understood that the sets of side and top sections can be folded down, so to speak, within the side pieces EE (Figs. 9 and 10), and when the operator so desires, they can be raised, or unfolded, to assume their open positions as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Each end section 'I is provided with a hinged door 8, Fig, 3, and this door is retained closed by a suitable latch or catch 9. Each end section is pivotally connected to the outer ends of two metal hinge-strips Il); these strips I Il (Fig. 12) are pivotally secured at their inner ends to the fixed side pieces 2. Therefore, it is to be noted that the end sections cannot be moved at the bottom off the ends of the side pieces 2, but these end sections can be lifted upwardly to permit the coop to be thoroughly cleaned at the ends. Each end section 'I is provided in its top with an upstanding pin II, which pin extends into a suitablesocket in one of the top sections 5, Fig. 3. An angle stop I2 is mounted on the end of one ofthe side sections Il, and this stop is engaged by the en-d section 1, whereby the end section is prevented from swinging or hinging too far out, beyond the ends of the side pieces and side sections.

Tl'ie partition i3 is provided with two tenon plates M, secured to the side edges of said partition, Fig. 5'. Horizontal brackets i5 are secured to the inner faces of the side pieces 2, near to the bottom I. Each bracket I5 is provided with a socket IE5, into which rits one of the tenon plates i4. By this manner of supporting the partition I3, the fowls will not be permitted to pass under the partition, but the cleaning of the coop will be facilitated by there being suiiicient clearance under the partition, and too the positioning of the partition above the floor will permit a wire netting placed upon the bottom I to be slipped horizontally under the partition, if it is demanded, or required to keep the feet of chickens in the coop from having direct contact with the bottom. llt should also be noted that since the partition is in an elevated position with respect to the bottom I a feed pan may be slid under .the partition and chickens in both end portions of the coop may feed from the same pan. The partition I3 is provided on each side, and near the top, with two horizontal pins I'I (Fig. 13), which enter sockets I8 formed in the side sections 4. This novel pin unit Il together with the bracket unit I makes a Very secure holding means for retaining the partition in an upright position when the crate is ready for receiving and shipping fowls.

When the partition I3 and the end sections 'I are in their assembled position, as shown in Figs. 4 and' 7, with the top sections 5 in their normal horizontal position, to positively secure the units of the -coop together, I use, preferably, two bolts I9, each provided with a buttery nut 20. By referring to Figures 2 and 6, it will be seen that these bolts I9 extend through the contiguous parts of the frames constituting the top section side, whereby when the nuts 20 are screwed inwardly on said bolts, the parts are brought snugly together by the clamping or binding action of said bolts and nuts, securely retaining the parts in their assembled position.

When the parts of the coop are fold-ed, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, I may employ a latch 2I to hold the parts as shown.

In further explanation of the novel hinged structure of the end sections 'I, it is to be understood that each hinge strip IB is preferably mounted at its outer end upon a nail or tack 22, driven into the end section, whereas the inner end of the hinge strip is mounted upon a tack or nail 23 (Fig. 12) driven into the side piece 2. Consequently, the end section can rest at its bottom upon the upper face of the bottom I, and can be bodily lifted upwardy without displacing it from the assembled position with the hinge strips I0.

It is to be understood that any suitable feed trough, or drinking fountain, can be placed in the coop, when the operator desires.

When the units of the coop or container are in their folded or knockdown position, the partition is resting on the central part of the bottom or oor I, as shown in Fig. 11. The set-up of the parts can be quickly accomplished, when it is desired to place the coop in condition for receiving the fowls, since all that is necessary is to raise the sides and top sections upwardly, then swinging the end sections into their vertical position, then place the partition in position, whereupon the top sections 5 can be closed down on the top edges of the end sections and the partition, after which the tightening bolts I9 can be placed in position.

It is to be noted that the fastening units 2| are attached to the side sections 4; these units each comprising an ordinary catch with a stud or nail to be engaged thereby (see Figs. 9 and 10).

While I have described the preferred embodiments of my invention and illustrated same in the accompanying drawings, certain changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of th appended claim.

What I claim is:

In a folding coop or container, the combination of a body provided with a bottom and xed side pieces carried thereby, horizontal brackets fastened to the inner faces of said side pieces, each bracket provided with a socket open at its top and bottom, a vertical partition provided at opposite ends with depending tenon plates, said tenon plates normally seated in the sockets and the partition resting on said brackets to support the partition above the bottom in vertical spaced relation thereto, said partition provided with outwardly extending horizontal pins adjacent its upper end, side sections on said side pieces, each side section provided with a socket adapted to receive a companion one of said outwardly extending pins to maintain the partition upright, and top sections carried.- by the side sections and capable of closing down upon said partition.

CHARLES A. BREWSTER. 

